A raging fire in Chelsea, Massachusetts, consumed several multi-family homes Friday morning, leaving around 40 people displaced at least for the night.
The flames spread quickly and firefighters from several cities were called in to extinguish the blaze on Maverick Street.
Chelsea Fire Chief Leonard Albanese said the fire is believed to have started in the back of one of the homes, reaching three other nearby homes and spreading panic among the residents. At one point, authorities issued a Mayday call or call for help, as two firefighters were trapped inside a building and had to be rescued with a ladder truck. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the situation caused chaos as residents rushed from the buildings.
"I look out my window and I hear a lot of 'there is a fire! There is a fire!' In Spanish like 'hay un fuego!'" described resident Dallana Nicole Urruita.
"The flames were huge, a lot of heat that you could feel from all the way back here," she added.
Rafael Pineda, who also lives in one of the buildings, said he escaped with nothing and was waiting to be allowed back in.
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Teresa Martinez, another of those affected, told Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra she was scared but acted fast.
"I have a girl who rents from me and she has a daughter, so I immediately took them out," Martinez said in Spanish.
More than one building has severe damage. Albanese said five to seven families are displaced, around 40 people. They are currently being assisted by La Colaborativa, the American Red Cross and Chelsea Emergency Management with temporary housing.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
